| Archive for jabonline.myfastforum.org jab-ride.co.uk South East MTB Forums |
| Syren Sistair |
Ashdown ForestDoes anyone know about it (other than you can't ride there). There's some sort of public consultation going on, closing date 06 March, about its future, but there's no mention of allowing bikes to ride. There's a bit of talk about how rubbish the management is too...http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=14724480There's also a petition on No10's site to call for a public enquiry into how its run: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/ashdownforest/ |
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| Ben03 |
Ooh, looks interesting. Ashdown does have some hidden gems to ride although I've only been there once or twice. A friend knows it like the back of his hand so will have to see if i can get him on.
Surely better managment would include more rangers to drive the bikers off though? |
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| Syren Sistair |
Better management may mean better rangers, but the ultimate goal is for this thing is to let bikers on the land and I suppose as long as you stick to the rules then it can't be a bad thing. although i understand your point - they might think 'oh a new lot of rules for us to enforce!'.
It would be interesting to see what actual users of the forest think and if legitimate riding would be a good thing or if how things are at the moment is good enough and keeps the loons away! |
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| D |
well the majority of walkers n riders seem to hate cyclists so i cant see it getting very far but then again i feel that something like ashdown is public and therefore should be for us as well...theyll just look at it as destruction of rare lowland heath though probably...damn them... | ||||
| Ben03 |
I really can't see thier logic. Went on a school trip there (several years ago lol) and at the centre we asked their reasoning and they said it was the errosion caused by the bike that was a problem and secondly we'd ride off the trails and over the heather 
1. have you ever tried riding your bike over heather? 2. If erosion is a problem then why bow and scrape to horses? Don't get it. |
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| JAW |
It reckon this does have potential - if we force our reasons into their little skulls.
1) Impossible (nearly) & thoroughly unenjoyable, i imagine... 2) If prince charles rode a bike not a horse (hard to imagine, i know) then it would probably be the other way round... |
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| jake-snake |
I ride Ashdown forest regularly mostly on Tuesday night
When I have rode there in the day most people dont give a dam a part from the poxy horse riders I just tell em to have a nice day |
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| Syren Sistair |
Here's the info on the consultation.
Public meetings this week... http://www.ashdownforest.org/news/news_stakeholder.php Consultation doc is here http://www.ashdownforest.org/docs/Draft_Forest_Plan.pdf - no mention of biking! |
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| Ben03 |
Hmm not good. We really need an mtb rep who higher up in local gov like they have in Vancouver. That may sort it. Biking is looked upon as trouble causing kids recreation to the public (mainly snobs, mind).
If they were to take a case study from Wales for example they might find that setting up a centre/trail network might give them funds to manage the forest better.... |
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| Syren Sistair |
And help with the cash: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/7257427.stm | ||||
| D |
soo true...if they need evidence of mountain biking helping locally; they need look no further than bedgebury! | ||||
| Ben03 |
Might be worth forwarding this to them somehow. It is a golden oppertunity to get a decent venue in the South East.
Bedgebury's a good exmaple as they far exceeded estimated visitor numbers even in the first year. They must also be making a killing cos parking prices are £7.50 now (or are going up to that price this year) i think. Only downside was the locals living on the forest claimed it to be 'their own' and had a bit of a problem sharing... |
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| Syren Sistair |
If I lived near there then I'd take time out do start raising the issue - sadly I only go down to that part of the world every so often (hav a bro nr forest row), will be down there this easter, but will likely head off to porc and hopefully bedgebury 
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| JAW |
That link to article on scotland is good publicity. I didn't read it all but it looked good. I'm glad it's on bbc anyway, so at least about a million punters will see it...
Would be good if we could forward it on to them though. |
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| D |
http://www.pinkbike.com/news/shimano-imba-economics-study-2008.html
"Scientific research has shown mountain biking to be a low impact environmentally sustainable activity with no more impact on natural resources than hiking, and far less than many other recreational activities." reading back on pinkbike n found that article that quoted that which is supported by Shimano... just found it interesting
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| Syren Sistair |
Hi guys,
I've just joined the Facebook group http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=12043864543&ref=mf - it's an effort to get people's views and support all into one place so it can become a force to be heard by the rangers, owners and council. So if you fancy joining then please do! |
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| Ben03 |
Think i signed up to facebook an age ago. Looks like a more tidy idea that would get somewhere anyway! | ||||
| Ben03 |
Having been for a recent visit to the Ashdown (walking should there be queries  ) I came accross this sign which to suggested they aren't willing to budge. It was interesting to see the reason we can't cycle there is down to the fact that we'd cause erosion and spoil other people's enjoyment (naturally).
I also decided to get a pic of the erosion horses cause, who are allowed on the forest. I really like it as it doesn't stack up what they say. 
Yep bikes surely are definitely more damaging then this... It seems a shame as the Ashdown has the potential to be one of those epic ride spots - something very rare in the South East. Sound your thoughts... |
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| Syren Sistair |
Check out the facebook page. there have been some developments, although the conservators aren't interested, the more people causing a fuss and saying how there should be cycling, the better! | ||||
| duncdan |
Ashdown Cycling CampaignI have been asking for legal access for the last 4 years, CTC and IMBA are involved now and we hope to have a web site set up soon. The conservators are aware of the facts but choose to ignor them fearing a masssive influx of cyclists to the area would spoil its appeal. They want the income that cycling would generate but they dont want the people. NIMBY!!We have already done a push protest accoss the forest and if current communications dont make progress we will being doing more protest action early in the new year. One of the best things that people can do is write lots of letters to the conservators, stating your opinion. They beleive that people dont want cyclists on the forest but i have ask for proportional representation of public opinion, ie if 20% want to cycle then open 20% of the forest for cycling. If you want to keep intouch then please check the facebook site or email me at ashdowncc@googlemail.com. Thanks Duncan |
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| Ben03 |
Welcome duncdan. Cheers for the news from the front line!
Be sure to let us know of developments as we're always keen to back something like this up... |
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| jake-snake |
we should all just ride the Forest
I Do whats there plan ? gona lock us up? the CTC are as good as sun glasses to a blind man with no ears at night |
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| rider101 |
Have been going covert there a few times. You just can't enjoy it the same through when you're on edge. | ||||
| Syren Sistair |
Guess it would be ideal to have something formal like this - http://www.mtbco.ca/ but until they deem it 'legal' or whatever to ride on the forest, then we're all a bit stuck! | ||||
| duncdan |
I cant condone riding on the forest as that is illegal but I fully apreciate the frustration, the bridleways round Uckfield suk.
We do have a protest in the pipeline and a website should be up and running in October, will post here when ready. In the mean time people can write to the conservators, go to: http://www.ashdownforest.org/docs/Leaflet_Board_Public.pdf if you want to email all the conservators or just email: conservators@ashdownforest.org In recent correspondance we have started to deal with the real issue of conflict with other users. It goes with out saying that we all need to be polite to all trail users even if they are abusive to us. They still beleive mountain biikers to be irresponsible lawbreakers that cant be trusted! Duncan |
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| jake-snake |
that made me laugh
I had a woman shouting and swearing and me on ashdown forest I just said "goog Morning Duk" you could see the madness in her eyes anyway I condone it if we all did it they have not got enough rangers max fine is £100 and only £40 there after cheap membership |
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| teamadoniz |
 Why not issue a pay to ride thingy like the horse riders have to every year.??
as i'm aware, they pay this to help maintain the forest from the mass mess and distruction they cause making the paths totaly unpassable to anyone on all but a frosty day where you are more likely to break an ankle! |
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| teamadoniz |
 Why cant we all enjoy these areas and all play together lol!! 
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| duncdan |
web sitewe have a web site... thanks to Graeme!http://www.ashdowncc.org I should be meeting a couple of conservaotrs soon to discuss the issue informaly. This is the first such meeting which is promising because i have been asking for ages! Licencing cycling is one option that is on the table, the fear is that people will not pay. They have enough trouble with horse riders not paying! All ideas and thoughts welcome. They might even get on the web site! Duncan |
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| duncdan |
Meeting the conservatorsA few of us met with a few of 'them' the other day. We presented some options to them and they expressed their concerns. The meeting went very well and I think we all benefited from it. The issue will be disscused on Feb 23rd at the RPA comitee meeting. The people who manage the forest are not the difficult ones but they are the ones enforcing the rules.The one bad thing that was appartent in the meeting was that cycling would be far easier to permit if the previous experiences that the rangers have had were not so bad. Thanks to all of you who have potentially screwed this up for us! It does not matter what is said to you, we must be polite, regardless. I think we demonstrated that mtbers are not rude and irresponsible but it is clear that some of us are. I am not very optimistic for a positive outcome from the Feb meeting but we have permition for a feasability study. We also have a couple of other options we have yet to visit... Will keep you posted Duncan |
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| Syren Sistair |
Erm, Duncdan, why do you blame people here for 'screwing things up'? I don't think we have a culture of blame here in this forum and so I don't think you should be blaming anyone here for the ranger's opinion.
Personally I think the ranger is using existing mtb'ers as an excuse. They're far to easy for them to blame. I suggest you have a little think about your approach to the people on this forum and to the rangers... Rude and irresponsible? The world is full of these kinds of people, not just bikers... If you don't have much hope for the meeting on the 23rd? Why waste your time then? (Sorry I'm being devil's advocate on this!) If Ashdown Forest wants to stay in the dark ages then so be it. |
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| duncdan |
I dont blame the people in the forum, just those that have made our job much harder. I used to think it was an excuse until we met and it was clear that they realy have met many difficult mtbers. But then we were not discussing dog poo, horse riders and all the other issues that include rude, stuck up people who live in the area.
Yes I am wasting loads and loads of my time on this! But it is something I beleive in and with out this kind of reasoned debate Ashdown Forest will stay in the dark ages for another 20 years by which time I will have artheritis and not enjoy knarly single track anymore! I should realy say a huge thanks to everyone who is polite and curtious to other trail users and land managers, you are helping us win the war against discrimination and missrepresentation. Sorry for any offence none intended, just trying to make a point. Duncan |
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| Syren Sistair |
Ah there's the spirit! Good for you if you want to still fight the good fight. The peeps here are the real future of mtbing in the area and the old system/old way of doing things are going to have to adapt or be forced into doing something out of their liking (i.e. they'll be shamed into doing it and loose control of their set rules because a higher authority.. e.g. the public, will set the motion for change).
May I make a suggestion (from the comfort of my living room!)?... Can I suggest you collecti a few good case studies - mbuk did a review of the best 'trail centres' in the uk - if you had the time, it would be great if you could go and ask these people what they did to turn things around to allow mtbing in the area and why - and also speak to the forestry commission officials in charge of that area, see how they work with forest users of all types, the level of income they get from it, what they do about erosion, problem bikers... those positive vibes - all evidence based, will hopefully provide a great case for mtb'ing on the forest in the near future. |
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| jake-snake |
just ride on the forest
the conservators are are a joke I have been told Eridge wood is no go now as well its owned by the RSPB all bike riding is banned I will still ride there too, and look forward to get told off |
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| duncdan |
Eridge wood is a big dissapointment as there is some great single track in there. We have been in contact with them but most interestingly I phoned Tillhill who manage the wood by Crowborough Warren, they have expressed an interest in promoting licenced cycling on their land. Wait and see what they say...
The conservators will not prosecute if they catch you but out of respect for reasoned debate we do not ride off the bridleways. |
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| Ben03 |
Keep it up Duncdan. It takes persevervance on a grand scale against these people but it's determination that will eventually turn the tables. Case studies would be good. We sent a couple of case studies a while back them but naturally heard no more. Presenting it in person may be a good option though... |
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| duncdan |
Thanks Ben. Ian Warby from the CTC is on the case and he is sourcing funding for an indepandant feasability study of the issue which sounds very interesting! | ||||
| duncdan |
MeetingJust to let you know that the result of last weeks meeting was unsurprisingly a NO.The reasons given were issues that which we have have already discussed 1. incremental impact of an additional use on the forest. 2 The appropriateness of machines spoiling the spirt or feel of the forest. 3 Control / Policing of the numbers and conduct of cyclists. The real issue is that they are not capable of managing the current recreational activities let alone a new one! Hew said to me " It is in your interest to be convincing." Well on such subjective matters I doubt any furthur progress will be made for some conciderable time! We are discussing some kind of dmonstration on the forest and I will post when more is known!! |
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| Barney |
Ashdown ForestPlease note that there is a LEGAL bridleway that you can cycle on from The Crow & Gate up to Kings Standing -please use it as I'm getting really fed up with explaining this to walkers etc who then hurle abuse at me through their own ignorance, it's marked as a Bridleway just about 100yds south of the pub!!!The more we use it the more the public will take note. It's also a fantastic downhill from the top. As for the wider issue this is gathering momentum and we will look for support - can't say too much at present as people read this site! Please make your thoughts known to the Ashdown conservators via e mail. There's no point moaning in the background and doing nothing. |
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| Ben03 |
Welcome barney thanks for the tip! Am glad there's SOMEWHERE where we can use our bikes (considering we are sorrounded by countryside)...
I'm getting to the point of just wanting to ride into people who moan at us for no need, had it again the other day myself. Must be fashionable to do so or something 
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| flippidy |
Bit of a double post here, as I saw this thread later, but worth reposting:
This is the latest posting by Paul on the Facebook group which goes into more detail of what has recently been achieved (as of Wednesday 8th July). They are basically asking riders to stop using Ashdown for now, as progress is still being made. Have a read and see what you think, but sounds fairly promising to me!
Well done Paul & Duncan – doing some top work there. There is a Facebook group – updates happen fairly regularly there and it's a good place to give support: http://www.facebook.com/group.php...up.php?gid=12043864543&ref=ts |
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